Barbara Richard

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Last weekend I finished the last book event for the year, the High Plains Bookfest in Billings. Traveling there was a bit expensive for such a low-key event. It's fairly new, so it has lots of time for improvement.

Dillon's "Take Back the Night" was wonderful. Approximately 100 people attended a very emotion-charged event. The cutout silhouettes representing all the women killed through domestic violence since 1990 was chilling. I spoke for about 30 minutes, followed by a lively discussion with the audience. I intend to plan more of these events next year. I crossed a threshold sometime in August or September. I can now read from my books without a melt-down (panic attack, PTSD, or whatever it is.) Early on (two years ago or so) I wouldn't have believed that I could overcome my symptoms to that degree--it almost seems miraculous. Being able to maintain my composure makes my presentations so much more effective. I thank the wonderful people at the Women's Resource Center in Dillon for a memorable event.

Now I can swing into action on "Chasing Ghosts." I hope I will be able to post more regularly from now on. I do have two more trips this fall--to Wichita to stay with grandkids while the parents take an annual respite, and to White Sulphur for a reunion of all my kids/grandkids at Thanksgiving. But I look forward to many winter days at my computer.

Off to the gym.